12-Year-Old Accused of Killing Younger Sister Pleads Not Guilty

Charged with second-degree murder

(CNN) -- A 12-year-old accused with stabbing to death his 8-year-old sister at their Northern California home pleaded not guilty on Wednesday during an appearance in a Calaveras County juvenile court, his attorney told CNN.

The boy -- who has not been named because of his age -- is charged with second-degree murder in connection with the killing.

"I say he is innocent," the boy's attorney, Mark Reichel, said. "We are going to come back on July 31 to set a date for a trial on that day and we are getting into the issue of whether a 12-year-old can ever be put on trial for murder."